`The programme lends itself to the majority of students who are seriously committed to their studies.' -- Michael Stowe.

An educational programme that couples technical training with life skills development is proving a success, the concept's founder has reported.

International Strategic Management Ltd. president Michael Stowe unveiled his Edu-Tech concept last May.

And in September 14 students enrolled in the Managed Technical/Vocational Training and Career Development programme at J.F. Drake State Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama.

These 14 were studying various technical disciplines including electronics, computers, refrigeration and mechanics, said Mr. Stowe.

Of those 14, he continued, seven were studying for their Associated of Applied Technology Degree. Four of these students had already decided to pursue a Bachelor Degree at the completion of the programme.

Mr. Stowe added that four other students had decided to pursue independent study outside the Edu-Tech programme and one was expelled for "behavioural issues''.

The programme participants are set to graduate between March and May of 1999 which is when the job placement sequence of the programme begins.

Meanwhile two students will join the programme this March and four more will get on board in September. The programme had received a further boost with a grant of $23,000 to provide tuition assistance to students plus another grant of $7,000 to fund psychologist Calvin Matthews who provides life skills training.

"The programme lends itself to the majority of students who are seriously committed to their studies,'' said Mr. Stowe.

"The student who desires to be managed through studies to a career will do very well.'' Students in the programme are constantly managed by Edu-Tech from their admittance to a college until they secured a job after graduation.

The programme has two goals, explained Mr. Stowe.

Firstly it seeks to assist young people in acquiring technical skills for job placement and also looks to give them the necessary personal skills to ensure they are suitable for employment.

"The best vocational and technical training qualifications in the absence of the appropriate social and interpersonal skills do not increase the likelihood of employment,'' he said.

The life skills programme was slightly revamped from his original plan, continued Mr. Stowe, after it emerged that the majority of young people in the programme did not have the necessary social skills to cope with the college programme.

Dr. Matthews efforts were now focussed on personal counselling to assist the students in recognising the importance of developing good study skills and improving their ability to deal with personal issues.

The programme in Huntsville is being used to determine what works and what does not work before a similar concept is installed at the Bermuda College, continued Mr. Stowe.

This was part of his overall plan as he recognised that many Bermudians might not be able to afford to go overseas for education. The total cost, including room and board, for the 18-month programme runs in the region $12,000 to $13,000 per year.

He said he hoped to have a local programme set up by the Fall of 1998 but added that he would not be making direct contact with the Bermuda College until the programme had been made more efficient.

AWARDED -- Sandys Parish resident Gerald Saltus, who received the Edu-Tech Student of the Quarter Award for consistently showing initiative, discipline and achievement in the Managed Technical/Vocational Training and Career Development Programme.

AWARD AWD